Truth: The Greatest Service We Can Give to God and One Another
Introduction
Today I want to speak about TRUTH.
Not truth as a weapon.
Not truth as an argument.
Not truth as a way to prove that we are right and someone else is wrong.
I want to speak about truth as Service.
When I read the Book of Mormon, one Scripture continually returns to my mind:
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
— Mosiah 2:17
Most people hear that verse and think about bringing meals, helping neighbors, cleaning buildings, donating money, or serving missions.
All of those are worthy Acts of Service.
But there is Another Service that sometimes costs more than all the others.
That Service is TELLING THE TRUTH.
Part One – Truth is the Foundation of Freedom
As Americans, we inherit a nation founded upon the idea that truth matters.
Courts depend on truth.
History depends on truth.
Families depend on truth.
Religion depends on truth.
Without truth there is no trust.
Without trust there is no cooperation.
Without cooperation there is no community.
And without community there can be no nation.
The Declaration of Independence begins with these words:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
Not opinions.
Not feelings.
Truths.
The founders understood something important.
Freedom cannot survive where truth is abandoned.
A free people must be willing to seek truth, defend truth, preserve truth, and teach truth.
Every generation inherits that responsibility.
Every generation must decide whether it will protect truth or replace it with convenience.
Truth is not always comfortable.
Truth may cost friendships.
Truth may cost popularity.
Truth may cost status.
But truth remains truth whether it is welcomed or rejected.
Part Two – God is the Source of Truth
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I worship God the Eternal Father.
I believe He is the source of all truth.
Jesus Christ teaches:
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Truth liberates.
Truth enlightens.
Truth guides.
Truth protects.
The Holy Ghost testifies of truth.
The scriptures testify of truth.
Creation itself testifies of truth.
Truth does not fear investigation.
Truth does not require manipulation.
Truth simply is.
When we seek truth sincerely, we move closer to God.
When we reject truth knowingly, we move away from Him.
The battle between good and evil is often a battle between truth and deception.
Truth builds.
Deception destroys.
Truth unites.
Deception divides.
Truth brings light.
Deception thrives in darkness.
Part Three – Parents Teach Truth First
Before government teaches us.
Before schools teach us.
Before churches teach us.
Parents teach us.
My father read the Book of Mormon to me.
He baptized me.
He taught me by example.
My mother taught me through her sacrifices, her service, and her determination.
When I think about truth, I think about the people who first taught me to recognize it.
Children learn truth through consistency.
They learn truth when promises are kept.
They learn truth when adults mean what they say.
They learn truth when actions match words.
Generations rise or fall based upon whether truth is taught at home.
The family is the first school of truth.
The family is the first government.
The family is the first church.
The family is the first community.
And the lessons learned there often last a lifetime.
Part Four – Truth Requires Courage
Many people know the truth.
Far fewer are willing to speak it.
Truth often requires courage.
It takes courage to stand alone.
It takes courage to disagree respectfully.
It takes courage to admit mistakes.
It takes courage to defend someone who is being treated unfairly.
It takes courage to say:
“This happened.”
“This is what I witnessed.”
“This is what I know.”
Throughout history, civilizations have depended upon ordinary people who were willing to speak honestly.
Journalists.
Teachers.
Parents.
Neighbors.
Witnesses.
Citizens.
Truth survives because somebody chooses to preserve it.
Somebody chooses to remember.
Somebody chooses to record.
Somebody chooses to speak.
Part Five – Service Through Remembrance
One of the greatest services we can offer is remembrance.
We speak the names of those who came before us.
We tell their stories.
We preserve their lessons.
We honor their sacrifices.
My father taught me that people matter.
The Book of Mormon teaches us to remember.
The sacrament teaches us to remember.
History teaches us to remember.
A nation that forgets its history becomes vulnerable.
A family that forgets its stories becomes disconnected.
A people that forgets truth loses its identity.
Remembering is service.
Recording is service.
Teaching is service.
Truthful remembrance is a gift to future generations.
Part Six – Truth and Charity
Truth should never be separated from charity.
Speaking truth does not require cruelty.
Being honest does not require hatred.
Defending principles does not require attacking people.
Jesus Christ embodied both truth and love.
He was firm without being cruel.
Direct without being hateful.
Honest without being destructive.
As followers of God, we should strive to do the same.
Truth and charity belong together.
Truth without love becomes harsh.
Love without truth becomes hollow.
God invites us to embrace both.
Conclusion
If someone asked me what the greatest service Americans can give to God is, I would answer:
Tell the truth.
Teach the truth.
Preserve the truth.
Seek the truth.
Live the truth.
Teach your children truth.
Record your family history truthfully.
Honor your ancestors truthfully.
Serve your community truthfully.
Worship God truthfully.
Because every generation depends upon the courage of those who came before.
Every family depends upon trust.
Every nation depends upon honesty.
Every disciple depends upon light.
And light is truth.
As we serve our fellow beings with honesty, integrity, remembrance, and courage, we fulfill the words of King Benjamin:
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
May we be a people who seek truth.
May we be a people who speak truth.
May we be a people who preserve truth.
And may our service to truth be counted as service to God, our Eternal Father.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.